The best authority for luxury Sri Lankan sun holidays in Northern Ireland, Ian Paisley Jr. caused controversy last July, when he was suspended for 30 sitting days from the British House of Commons, for breaching parliamentary rules, by not disclosing the details of his luxury Sri Lankan escapades, all paid for by Sri Lanka’s Rajapaksa administration. For more information about the exact circumstances surrounding the two all-expenses-paid-for luxury trips offered to Paisley Jr by the Government of Sri Lanka and resulting repercussions, click here, for this writer’s article published in The Colombo Telegraph on 21st July 2018. It has since emerged, in Sri Lankan political circles, that the real cost of the two trips would be much higher than the GBP 100,000 mentioned in the British and Irish press.

Paisley’s Sri Lankan sojourn provides insights into the mismanagement of Sri Lankan foreign policy under the Rajapaksa administration [Dec 2005-January 2015]. As this writer has repeatedly argued, shady partnerships with controversial politicians representing socially conservative political parties should not have any place whatsoever in foreign policy praxis. In the end, the luxury trips to Sri Lanka, the sun holidays and lobbying with Paisley Jr, a few other British Conservative MPs and peers, and politicos sharing similar ideologies in other countries did not bring Sri Lanka a single foreign policy victory. Foreign affairs mismanagement, and accommodating space for highly incompetent individuals to manage foreign policy, happened to be the key factors that led to the ultimate downfall of the Rajapaksa administration in early 2015.

The Paisley case is no coincidence, and its unfolding says a lot about Paisley Jr and his party, the Democratic Unionist Party, one of the most regressive, socially conservative, misogynist, and to put it simply ‘backward’ parties in Western Europe. The DUP is the main obstacle that prevents the extension of progressive Westminster legislation to Northern Ireland. The best example is the 2013 Marriage [Same Sex Couples] Act, which does not apply to Northern Ireland, primarily due to DUP opposition.

The DUP’s intransigence is the main political reason why Northern Ireland continues to stick to some of the most outdated abortion laws in Western Europe. The fact that these laws of yesteryear should and can be successfully repealed and replaced by modern, respectful and equity-focused legislation, was evident in the successful 2018 #Repealthe8th referendum campaign in the Irish Republic. In Northern Ireland, there is tremendous public support to the implementation of modern, bodily autonomy-focused reproductive justice legislation. But that public support cannot be transformed into political action and actual legislation, for as long as the Province’s largest political party, the DUP, clings to its dinosaur-era perspective on women’s rights.

The Paisley Jr Recall Petition: A Failure

A ‘recall petition’, to oust Paisley Jr and call for a by-election in his constituency of North Antrim, was put in place as soon as the controversy broke in London.

The recall petition fell short of the 10 per cent of electorate signatures required to force a by-election. In Paisley Jr’s constituency of North Antrim, this means a total of 7,543 signatures. The petition fell short of a mere 444 signatures, enabling Paisley Jr to avoid a by-election and retain his Westminster seat. The announcement came from Northern Ireland’s Chief Electoral Office Virginia McVea on 20th September 2018.

Once the result came in, the DUP, which had suspended Paisley Jr soon after his suspension from Westminster, lifted the suspension and he was readmitted to the Party. However, the DUP has also revealed that its ban on Paisley Jr. from holding office within the Party is still in force for a 12-month period.

North Antrim: Welcome to Paisley Country!

The constituency of North Antrim has a strong support base for anyone carrying the ‘Paisley’ name. Ian’s late paterfamilias Paisley Sr. held that constituency for almost 40 years. The devotion of the electorate to Paisley was evident when the Belfast Telegraph talked to constituents about Ian Jr’s Sri Lankan escapade. One constituent claimed [and I kid you not]:

It wasn’t very nice but he has apologised and said that he was sorry,” she said.

“I would be a DUP voter and this wouldn’t change my mind.”I don’t think he actually meant it until he realised it afterwards.”Most people who vote DUP will think the same as me. We can forgive and forget. “That is what the Lord says we should do.

“I think we should forget about what happened and just concentrate on the really great work he did and continues to do.”

The outcome of the Recall Petition is highly revealing, in terms of the political engagement of the electorate in Northern Ireland. As one commentator said, this result is not a vote of confidence in Paisley Jr, but an indication of how much Northern Irish voters have turned their backs on local politics. This commentary provides insight into how the recall petition process was carried out, and why not many constituents were keen to vote:

In Paisley’s last election win [at the 2017 UK General Election], 20,000 voters cast ballots for non-DUP parties. In that election, there were 49 voting booths to do so across North Antrim. For the recall petition, the electoral commission only opened three booths across the whole constituency of just under 76,000 voters.

On top of this, at the main booth in a local leisure centre, there was no anonymity. Unlike with elections, attending a booth for a recall petition indicates in itself your voting intention. Despite this, the positioning of the booth made it extremely public who was voting, so much so the local Sinn Fein representative demanded it be changed. The electoral commission moved it, to an area of the centre which was completely impossible to find – you had to go through a myriad of back staircases and even a fire door. It was so poor it then had to be moved back.

The other Unionist parties in Northern Ireland, especially the Ulster Unionist Party (UUP) and Traditional Unionist Voice (TUV), were both confident that the Recall Petition would pass, and were not keen on campaigning for the Petition to be successful. In other words, the Unionist parties were not especially keen on actively campaigning for the success of the Recall Petition. This can be interpreted as a decision of the Unionist parties to protect one of the most influential voices of ‘their own’, irrespective of how corrupt and problematic that person is. The only strong support for the Petition came from Sinn Féin. TUV, for instance, appears to have taken into account the Brexit dimension. Its leader Jim Allister is, just like Ian Jr, a diehard Brexit supporter. Those who stand for Brexit would want someone like Ian Jr to have his place in the DUP’s Westminster ‘team’.

The reaction of the Unionist parties is also likely to have been influenced by recent election experiences. When the renewable heat incentive [RHI] scandal – a failed and grossly mismanaged renewable energy strategy that cost the taxpayer some GBP 500 million – broke out in the late 2016-2017 quarter, the DUP stood at the 2017 UK General Election and was very successful. The controversy surround RHI and the mishandling of public funds did not in any way affect the DUP’s electoral prospects. In other words, the majority of voters in Northern Ireland [echoing common practice in many deeply divided societies elsewhere] prioritise constitutional issues and ethnonationalist factors when casting their vote. Good governance, transparency, financial discipline, investment promotion and accountability are the last things in the minds of many voters when they cast their ballot.

Ian Paisley Jr therefore gets to remain MP for North Antrim, and will return to Westminster when his suspension is over in a couple of weeks. Being the hotbed of controversies and scandals it is, the DUP is likely to continue business as usual. This has been enabled by the political structures in place – the consociational arrangement of governance introduced by the Belfast Good Friday Agreement, which strengthens the hands of the most hardline ‘tribune’ parties on either side. In other words, there is no one who can challenge the DUP’s power base, and the influence of its key figures such as Ian Jr.

Public Criticism

Despite this grim reality, Northern Ireland is also home to a vibrant and fast-growing demographic that calls for progressive change and good governance. Apart from robust activism for reproductive justice and marriage equality, there is also a great deal of humour, and caricaturing of the likes of Ian Paisley Jr that helps add colour and laughter to what really is a rather grim set of political prospects. A few examples of such political sarcasm appear below:

One photo, published by the social media handle @ladfleg, well-known for its parodies of the political life of Northern Ireland, showed Ian Paisley Jr, being carried by colleagues, celebrating. The Sri Lankan national flag is a photoshopped yet highly revealing addition. No one would be surprised if Ian Jr did celebrate wrapping himself around a Sri Lankan flag! This image, and yet another image in which Paisley Jr and First Minister [and DUP leader] Arlene Foster grinning away and setting off on a motorbike, are making many rounds on social media.

Many people were critical of the outcome of the Recall Petition:

This entire saga came at a high cost to the tax payer in Sri Lanka and Northern Ireland. The Recall Petition came at a cost of some GBP 188,000. The ineffectiveness of the Recall Petition and the problematic legalities surrounding it also imply that this sum was very much a waste of public funds. The Government of Sri Lanka lost more than GBP 100,000 [a lot more, according to some MPs and parties with insight in Colombo] – all public funds. To note that such high sums were spent on a lost cause, and on a fine example of neoconservative, misogynist, homophobic and anti-human rights political mediocrity ought to be a fine eyeopener to all critically-minded citizens and people’s representatives, in both Sri Lanka and Northern Ireland.

International Donors donated over one billion us dollars to help Tsunai Victims rebuild their lives
Mahinda pocketed in US dollars 800 million from that donation through Helping Hambantota (Ask Willie Gamage, the architect of HH NGO for details)

Mahinda and GoTa also used billions of rupees to build a monument for their corrupted parents too

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Anonymous/September 23, 2018

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Our corrupt swine cardinal Malcolm Ranjith says human rights and the rules of law is for those who have no religion! This fraud who is a disgrace to Christianity and the teachings of Jesus Christ should be excommunicated immediately for making such irresponsible statements. He calls human rights the new religion so Malcolm people who belong to religions have no human rights is that what you are saying? Worried that your corrupt ways and exploitation of the Christians of Sri Lanka will get exposed?

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BornAgain/September 29, 2018

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How true, why was he silent on RAPE of choir boys and widespread sexual abuse found in N.Ireland, Ireland, Australia, USA etc? Even the Pope is implicated. Speak about the child molesting in the Sri Lanka churches and temples instead. TENS OF BILLIONS have been paid to hush up and settle rape and sodomy and oral sodomy cases by Catholic priests in USA.

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Ajith/September 23, 2018

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Annesley,
Chinna bribed Mahinda which went into the pockets of Mahinda But, the money paid by Mahinda to pay several people like Ian Paisely was paid by the people. The money paid by LTTE international arms dealer Pathmanathan went into the pocket of Mahinda but Pathmanathan is now paid by Srilankan people. Lots of money paid by LTTE leaders after the end of war to leave Srilanka was collected by Mahinda Family. THe Jewelleries collected from the LTTE stock was directly transferred to Mahinda Family but people are now paying all the money he borrowed from China.

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jim softy/September 23, 2018

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Ian Paisley helped our government to cover up what happened to the dead. We need this to protect our war heroes. So why are we Sri Lankans making a big fuss about it?

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Ajith/September 24, 2018

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Jim,
Yes it is a cover up. You know, We know, Every one knows. Unfortunately, UN did not believe this cover up and still the so called fake war heros like Mahinda & Gota will face the death sentance threat in Srilankan courts when the real truth is realised.

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Analyst/September 23, 2018

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So ! Are we surprised.
MR had been the Bribe King of the Bribery Kingdom of Srilanka , he and his cronies wasted Billions in the hope of ruling Apeh Aaaanduwe with his kiths and kins until the next century and beyond.
For this treachery to the people of SL , he did not spend his money but the nations money.
Vultures and greedy politicians by the names of Ian Paisley, Lord Nosey, the Bell Potingers are the foreign greedy lot were preyed by the MR& Co.
Sad it’s not? This Lord Budhha worshipping Medamulana dirty family used up all the peoples money for his families future prospects, but completely forgotten about his country and the poor people.
How can we believe this man and his family?? They’re dirty and greedy!!

The so called Diplonut ( not Diplomat)who was assigned during this MR time in Lebanan
called Lebbe Jameel was caught people smuggling at the Manila Airport few weeks ago has again have brought disgrace to our country.
No point folks the innocent Srilankans mourning about Srilankan passports when abroad.
It’s so shameful to hold or travel with Apeh Aaaanduwe Passports !

These people brings disgrace to the country , disgrace to the law abiding citizens of SL.
How many crooked DIPLONUT/ DIPLOMUTS are there still travelling with bogus DIPLONUTTY passports SMUGGLING PEOPLE, DRUGS, GOLD, SILVER, CASH ETC,ETC,??

DISGRACEFUL POLITICIANS AND DISGRACEFUL GREEDY SO CALLED MPS AND LORD NOSEY, USING THE POOR THIRD WORLD NATION’S WEALTH.
THEY SHOULD PAY BACK ALL THE EXPENCES PAID , STOLEN FROM OUR STATE WEALTH FOR THEIR JOLLY GOOD TIMES IN THE BEACHES , HOTELS AND FOR THEIR FLIGHTS TO SL.
THE SCOTTISH MP AND THE GREEDY CONNIVING LORD SHOULD FEEL ASHAMED EVERY DAY FOR THEIR REST OF THEIR LIVES.
KARMA IS A BITCH , CAN REACH ANYWHERE IN THE WORLD , NOT ONLY THE SRILANKANS ARE CAUGHT UP WITH KARMA, THESE PARASITIC FOREIGN POLITICIANS TOO TO BE AWARE.

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Anonymous/September 23, 2018

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Our corrupt swine cardinal Malcolm Ranjith says human rights and the rules of law is for those who have no religion! This fraud who is a disgrace to Christianity and the teachings of Jesus Christ should be excommunicated immediately for making such an irresponsible statements. He says human rights is for people who have no religion! So tell me Malcolm those who follow a religion have no human rights? Are you worried with human rights and the rule of law corrupt clergy like yourself will be exposed? Are you worried that the Sri Lankan Christians will see how you are exploiting them? #popeFrancis #vaticanCity #MalcolomRanjith #excommunication #UNHRC #UN

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justice/September 23, 2018

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Paisley’s visit was arranged by Vas Goonewardene, then a powerful person who spent much state funds without authority – he was a former wharf clerk who established Mihin Lanka airline.

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Spring Koha/September 24, 2018

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Justice, nice memory!

You were, of course, referring to the legendary ‘south’uwa’ (spoiler in Anglo-Saxon) who was single-handedly responsible for the ignominious dismissal of our HIGH Commissioner at the Court of St James by the simple action of a thundering slap in the bid apple.

Dr Nonis never recovered, and the stain on our diplomatic service has never been erased.

This is what happens when clowns join jokers and crooks in running an Island paradise.

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kolla/September 23, 2018

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Ranil appointed this confused housewife as our High commissioner in UK ! This was soon after he appointed Mahendran as the Governor of the Central Bank. It shows a high degree of honesty in Ranil !

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K.Pillai/September 23, 2018

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Democracy has several weak spots. British democracy tolerates a bit of dishonesty.
The British Secretary of State for International Trade Liam Fox is an example. His ‘misdeeds’ are many and includes five trips to Lankan funded trips to Colombo. Because of the pressure of Brexit, Theresa May keeps him inside to compel him to direct his piss outside. Details on THE Liam Fox will take several ‘300-words’.
Ian Paisley Jr. was clumsy in accepting all paid holidays in Lanka. Paid by? Guess.
Ian was not naïve. He took a risk and got away with it!
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Dr Chamindra Weerawardhana is being very generously generous when she says ~ “Paisley’s Sri Lankan sojourn provides insights into the mismanagement of Sri Lankan foreign policy under the Rajapaksa administration [Dec 2005-January 2015]”.

She must keep tract of the President’s Commission of Inquiry (PCoI) into Sri Lankan Airlines. Lots of Lankans say “So what?”.

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JD/September 24, 2018

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Only objective of these people is how to make a perforation in their as

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Did any one recognize Mrs.Udu in those photos with Ian. Chaminda looks like there are many Lankans (flag bearers) in North Antrim .Same pattern of thinking.

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Spring Koha/September 24, 2018

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All correct and present. So, to summarise:

Boy Ian got buggered, but he will heal quickly amongst his fellow buggers.

His Sri Lankan exploiters got buggered, but they still keep on smiling as if nothing happened.

Sadly, it was the Sri Lankan tax-payer who were well and truly, sorely, buggered. They should be furious but they have been buggered so many times, by so many politicians, one has to assume they enjoy bending over ever few years.

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BornAgain/September 29, 2018

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Make up your mind mate. Are you interested in Northern Irish politics or Sri Lankan? What is the fight and argument you are making? HR? out of the window now. The future President of USA, Mike Pence is totally opposed to Gay/LGBTQ people. Current Secy of State Pompeo openly said in his confirmation hearings he OPPOSES GAY marriage. Religion and Christian values are back in play in the US of A. The foolish liberal dumbasses who were in ther US Embassy in Colombo are running for cover. They can no longer promote Gay pride marches on their social media; they can no longer sponsor the foolish rainbow parade with the flag that looks like our cooperative society/samuupakara society flag, they cannot and undermine local culture thereby. Good Christians are back in charge in the USA. life styles against natural order and evolution and against the Bible are no longer sponsored by the USA; neither is abortion and birth control. Tell the Irish to expose the boy buggering pedophile gays in the Catholic church mate.

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